Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Ed Paradis was so dominant on the football field that he once shared a postseason all-star team berth with a Heisman trophy winner.
Among the many honors won by IUP's senior center in 1973 was a place on the Associated Press all-state squad, which included major college players. Paradis, who was selected to the third team, proudly took his place alongside Penn State running back John Cappelletti, that year's Heisman trophy winner, and future Heisman recipient Tony Dorsett of Pitt.
Of course, that wasn't the only time Paradis found himself in select company. His name graced just about every all-star team that existed in 1973. Foremost among Paradis' multitude of honors was a second-team berth on the prestigious AP Little All-America squad, for which all non-major college players were eligible. To that point, no representative of IUP had ever been accorded such a high honor.
Paradis was also a second-team pick on the NAIA All-America squad, which featured future NFL standouts such as running back Walter Payton (Chicago Bears), linebacker Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson (Dallas Cowboys), running back Wilbert Montgomery (Philadelphia Eagles) and quarterback Clint Longley (Cowboys). In addition, he earned unanimous selection to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division first team, was the top vote-getter on the Pittsburgh Press all-district small college team and earned first-team NAJA District 18 honors.
His arrival at IUP in 1972 followed a 2,500-mile detour to the California desert. After graduating from Pittston Area High School in 1970, Paradis enrolled at Palo Verde Junior College, where his play drew raves. He was twice selected to the California Junior College all-star team by the Los Angeles Times before returning to his home state and suiting up for IUP.
With Paradis anchoring the offensive line at center, the Indians rolled to an 8-1 record, their lone defeat a season opening setback against powerful Eastern Kentucky. He was named a second-team NAIA District 18 all-star and made the AP all-state third team. A year later, while serving as one of IUP's captains, Paradis was even more outstanding. He consistently overpowered opponents while maintaining a standard for gentlemanly play that drew plaudits from the officials who worked his team's games.
Despite only two seasons in uniform, Paradis was selected to IUP's All-'70s team at the close of the decade, along with fellow 2003 inductee Dave Balmert. He was inducted into the Northeastern Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Paradis, a 1974 graduate of I UP, is employed by the Luzerne County Courthouse Building and Grounds Department in Wilkes-Barre. He previously worked as a construction superintendent, building nuclear power plants across the United States and in the Philippines.
Paradis and his wife, Rose Ann, have two daughters, Concetta and Ann Marie.